Cigarette machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cigarette machine adapted to compact shredded tobacco into individual paper wrapper tubes. The cigarette machine basically comprises a filler tube having an open end adapted to receive the individual paper wrapper tubes, a tobacco storage unit operative to feed shredded tobacco therefrom into said filler tube, a plunger reciprocally mounted within said filler tube for moving shredded tobacco therethrough into the respective paper wrapper tube disposed about the open end thereof, a drive assembly operatively connected to said plunger for reciprocally driving the same, and a density control mechanism for engaging respective paper wrapper tubes while shredded tobacco is being compacted therein and allowing the paper wrapper tubes being filled to move axially along the filler tube away from the plunger as the particular wrapper tube is being filled, thereby controlling the density of the shredded tobacco compacted therein.

United States Patent 1 1 Asbill, Jr.

[ CIGARETTE MACHINE [76] Inventor: Clarence M. Asbill, Jr., 2627 Dover Rd, Raleigh, NC. 28526 [22] Filed: Oct. 11, 1973 [21] Appl. No.1 405,687

[52] 11.5. C1. 131/75; 131/109 AB [51] Int. Cl. A24c 5/02; A24c 5/32; A24c 5/42 [58] Field 01' Search 131/75, 70,81 A, 109 AB [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 598,753 2/1898 Stern 1 1 n 131/70 1,150,824 8/1915 Karlson 131/75 1.7183377 6/1929 Alland 1 131/75 3,645,272 2/1972 Jenkins et al. 131/75 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 84,098 5/1921 Austria 131/75 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mills and Coats [451 July 1, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a cigarette machine adapted to compact shredded tobacco into individual paper wrapper tubes. The cigarette machine basically comprises a filler tube having an open end adapted to receive the individual paper wrapper tubes, a tobacco storage unit operative to feed shredded tobacco therefrom into said filler tube, a plunger reciprocally mounted within said filler tube for moving shredded tobacco therethrough into the respective paper wrapper tube disposed about the open end thereof, a drive assembly operatively connected to said plunger for reciprocally driving the same, and a density control mechanism for engaging respective paper wrapper tubes while shredded tobacco is being compacted therein and allowing the paper wrapper tubes being filled to move axially along the tiller tube away from the plunger as the particular wrapper tube is being filled, thereby controlling the density of the shredded tobacco compacted therein 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PMEMEUuuu 'ms 1.892.245

SHEET 1 FIG. I

1 CIGARETTE MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cigarette machines and more particularly to cigarette machines of the plunger type having means incorporated therein for controlling the density of the shredded tobacco compacted into individual paper wrapper tubes by the machine.

Recently there has been a trend among some cigarette smokers to purchase manually operated cigarette making devices. Although various types of such manually operated cigarette making devices and even more sophisticated noncommercial types have been used in the past, there are numerous reasons for the present consumer interest in small portable noncommercial cigarette machines.

First, the price of packaged cigarettes has continued to increase at an appreciable rate over the past decade. In addition to the price increase attributed to the manufacturer, the increased price has also been significantly effective in most States by a steady increase in State tax per package of cigarettes. This increase in price due to both manufacturing and State tax has led some cigarette consumers to realize that the cost of cigarettes alone is a significant expenditure in the family budget. This appreciation of the continuous cost of cigarettes has led some smokers to investigate ways of reducing this cost while still being able to enjoy the pleasures of smoking. In many of these cases, the smoking consumer has at least experimented with some type of the so-called hand-operated cigarette making machines. Although some smokers today do continue to make their own cigarettes, a very significant portion of the consumers that have experimented with hand-operated cigarette making machines have found that they are generally inconvenient, time consuming, and sometimes unreliable in operation.

Moreover, besides being much more economical than prepackaged cigarettes, the cigarette making machine allows the individual smoker to form a precise blend of tobacco that yields the most desirable flavor to him while smoking.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The cigarette machine of the present invention is basically comprised of a filler tube adapted to receive a paper wrapper tube at one end thereof, and includes a plunger reciprocally mounted therein. A tobacco storage unit is disposed above said filler tube and is operative to feed shredded tobacco into and in the opening formed therein. Disposed adjacent the end of the filler tube which receives the paper wrapper tube is a density control device which includes an elongated member held within a frictional holder. The elongated member normally engages the end of the cigarette wrapper tube and because the elongated member is held with a predetermined frictional force by said frictional holder, it will only yield in response to a predetermined force being applied thereagainst. The frictional holder is so adjusted that the predetermined force required to move the elongated member therethrough is only realized when the proper density is present in the paper wrapper tube. Expressed in another way, the elongated member holds the paper wrapper tube in place until the desired density is achieved therein. Once the desired density is achieved within a portion of the paper wrapper tube, then further compaction of tobacco therein causes a sufficient force to be applied to the partially filled paper wrapper tube to cause it to exert the predetermined force against the elongated member, causing it to move therewith such that the adjacent portions of the paper wrapper tube may be filled with tobacco.

In addition, the tobacco storage unit includes an agitating assembly that is intermittingly driven by a ratchet drive assembly operatively connected thereto. The plunger and ratchet drive are both driven through a combination crank arm-slide drive assembly.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cigarette making machine that is simple, reliable, and which enables the user to produce relatively inexpensive cigarettes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette making machine that lends itself to either manual or automatic (electrical) operation.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette machine which is capable of manufacturing filter as well as nonfilter cigarettes of different lengths from the raw materials of paper wrapper tubes, shredded cigarette tobacco, and filters in those cases where a filter cigarette is desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cigarette making machine of the plunger type wherein there is also provided a density control mechanism for precisely controlling the density of the cigarette manufactured.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a cigarette machine having a tobacco storage unit adapted to hold a relatively large quantity of tobacco such that cigarettes can be continuously made from the tobacco stored in the storage unit without having to refill the storage unit at short intervals of time during the manufacturing operation, whereby the shredded tobacco can be maintained in the storage unit in an environment relatively free from exposure to the outside air and therefore retain a desirable moisture content in the tobacco over an extended period of time.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a cigarette machine that substantially eliminates all manual handling of the tobacco except for refilling the tobacco storage unit or container periodically.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cigarette machine that includes a feeding system that tends to maintain a homogeneous mixture of tobacco within said storage unit and which feeds the homogeneous mixture into the respective paper wrapper tubes being filled, thereby tending to prohibit small portions of the more finely shredded tobacco from sifting from the storage unit into the feeding system and into the particular paper wrapper tube being filled.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a filter cigarette making machine that is so simple and easy to operate and maintain that it can be used successfully by a person of minimal manual dexterity.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cigarette machine of the plunger type wherein a plunger is reciprocally mounted with a filler tube having an open end adapted to receive a paper wrapper tube, and wherein the cigarette machine further includes a tobacco storage unit integrally formed with said filler tube and adapted to feed shredded tobacco therefrom into an in-feed opening formed within said filler tube.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plunger type cigarette machine as set forth in the above paragraph wherein the tobacco storage unit includes an agitating assembly that is intermittingly driven and operative to assist in feeding the shredded tobacco from the storage unit into the in-feed opening of said filler tube.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision ofa cigarette machine of the plunger type having an agitating assembly disposed within the to bacco storage unit. wherein there is provided a common drive means for simultaneously driving both the plunger and agitating assembly of said tobacco storage unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette making machine of the plunger type wherein a density controlled mechanism comprising an elongated member frictionally held in a frictional holder is utilized to control the density of the individual cigarettes being manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the cigarette machine of the present invention as viewed from the front and to one side;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cigarette machine as viewed from the rear and to one side;

FIG. 3 is a front fragmentary sectional view of the tobacco storage unit of the cigarette machine illustrating the agitating assembly therein;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the tobacco storage unit particularly illustrating the feeding cavity formed in the lower portion thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating a paper wrapper tube inserted over the filler tube and engageable with the density control mechanism; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the cigarette machine of the present invention being driven by an electric motor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, particularly FIGS. I and 2, the cigarette machine of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally at 10. The cigarette machine 10 comprises a frame structure including a floor support 12 and an upper platform 14, the upper platform 14 being supported by two posts, each posts being indicated by the numeral 16 and extending between the lower support 12 and the upper platform 14.

Fixed t0 the upper side of the upper platform 14 is a back plate 18 that extends generally vertically upwardly therefrom. A cylindrical shaped tobacco stor age unit indicated generally at 20 is secured to the back plate 18 and is supported thereby above the upper platform 14. Viewing the cylindrical tobacco storage unit 20 in greater detail, it is seen that the same includes a cylindrical wall 22 having a pair of end plates 24 disposed about opposite ends thereof. An opening top 26 is formed in the cylindrical wall 22 in order that the tobacco storage unit 20 may be conveniently refilled at appropriate times.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cylindrical wall 22 of the storage unit 20 includes a feeding cavity 28 formed in the cylindrical wall and particularly disposed about the lower portion of the entire tobacco storage unit, More specifically, the feeding cavity 28 forms a part of the cylindrical wall structure 22 but tends to protrude outwardly of the general cylindrical plane of the cylindrical wall 22. Therefore, it is appreciated that the feeding cavity forms a part of the total tobacco storage unit.

Extending through the feeding cavity 28 of the tobacco storage unit and supported thereby is a filler tube 30, the filler tube being oriented such that the axis thereof extends generally parallel to the axis of said cylindrical storage unit 20. The filler tube 30 particularly includes an angle cut open end 32 adapted to receive a premade paper wrapper tube PT (FIG. 5). As seen in the drawings, the angle cut open end 32 is spaced outwardly from the end plate 24 of the cylindrical storage unit 20. Formed within the filler tube 30 about the area of said feeding cavity 28 is an in-feed opening 34. The presence of the in-feed opening 34 enables shredded tobacco contained in said storage unit 20 to be fed therefrom into the tiller tube 30.

Reciprocally mounted within said filler tube 30 is a plunger 36, the plunger being adapted to be driven fore-and-aftly within the filler tube so as to compact the shredded tobacco fed into the paper wrapper tube PT disposed about the open end 32. It should be noted at this point that the in-feed opening 34 formed in the filler tube 30 is placed at a point just forwardly of the position assumed by the plunger when retracted. This, of course, allows shredded tobacco to be received cleanly within the in-feed opening and to be moved therefrom through the forward portion of the tiller tube by the plunger 36.

Disposed within the tobacco storage unit 20 is an agitating means or assembly 38 for intermittingly moving through the shredded tobacco contained within the tobacco storage unit and for assisting in feeding the shredded tobacco from the storage unit into the in-feed opening 34 of the filler tube. Viewing the agitating means or assembly in greater detail, it is seen that a rotary shaft 44 is rotatively journaled through the rearend plate 24 of the cigarette storage unit and includes an angular shaped rotary 40 fixed thereto and disposed interiorly of the cylindrical storage unit 20 adjacent the rearmost end plate 24. Fixed to the outer edge of the rotary 40 in circumvential spaced relationship is a plurality of agitating elements or arms 42, each agitating element or arm extending radially from the rotary 40 to a point adjacent the inner side of the cylindrical wall 22 at which point the individual agitating elements or arms turn at a general right angle and extends along and adjacent the inner side wall of the cylindrical wall 22. Therefore, as appreciated from the drawings, the rotation of the rotary 40 results in the individual agitating elements or arms 42 being turned in a circular path with each individual agitating element or arm moving along a path close to the cylindrical wall 22.

The agitating means 38 is driven by a ratchet assembly indicated generally at 46 and disposed about the rear side of the back plate I8. Details of the ratchet assembly will be subsequently discussed in this application in describing the total drive system for the cigarette machine 10.

In order to control and maintain the proper desirable density of the individual cigarettes being made by the cigarette machine 10, there is provided a density control mechanism 48 which is disposed just forwardly of the open end of the filler tube 30. Viewing the density control mechanism in greater detail. it is seen that a guide 52 is fixed to a support 50 which is stationed to the upper platform 14, the guide being generally halfopen about the top and aligned in co-axial relationship with the filler tube 30. Fixed to the forward most end of the guide and integrally formed therewith is a frictional holder 54. The frictional holder is of an open, generally U-shape and includes a mating top half opening 54a which compliments the guide 50 to form a cylindrical opening through the holder. Disposed between the general U-shaped frictional holder is an adjustment screw 56 for varying the width therebetween, the varying of the width resulting in a variance of the size of the opening between the top half opening 54a and the guide 52. Slideably confined within the guide 52 and extending through the top half opening 54a of the frictional holder 54 is a rod-like elongated member 58.

During the process of manufacturing a cigarette, the elongated rod-like member 58 is pushed up adjacent the forward most end of the paper wrapper tube PT (FIG. 5) disposed about the open end of the filler tube 30. The adjustment screw 56 is so adjusted that the elongated rod-like member is frictionally held in the guide by the frictional holder 54 such that the elongated member 58 cannot move forwardly therethrough until the proper density is achieved in compacting the shredded tobacco in the paper wrapper tube PT. But upon realizing the proper density in a portion of the paper wrapper tube PT, the force of additional shred ded tobacco being compacted therein causes the paper wrapper tube to exert a force against the elongated member 58 greater than the holding force of the frictional holder 54. Therefore. once this force is overcome. the elongated member 58 can move forwardly through the guide 52 and allow the particular paper wrapper tube PT to move therewith a certain distance in order that other portions of the paper wrapper tube PT may be filled with shredded tobacco With further reference to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive means is shown therein and indicated generally at 60. As will become apparent from the subsequent discussion. the drive means 60 is used to drive both the plunger 36 and the agitating means 38.

Viewing the drive means 60 in greater detail, it is seen that such comprises a fly wheel or actuating wheel 62 fixed to a drive shaft 64 that is rotatively journaled transversely across the upper platform 14. Fixed to the drive shaft 54 on the end opposite the fly wheel 62 is a crank 66 which is in turn operatively connected to a slide or carriage 70 via interconnecting link 68 (FIG 1). The slide or carriage 70 is slideably confined along the edge of the upper platform 14. Slide or carriage 70 is in turn fixed to a reciprocating rod that extends under the upper platform 14 in general parallel relationship with the axis of said tobacco storage unit 20. At the rear-most end of the reciprocating rod 72 is an end length 74 which is fixed to the reciprocating rod and extends upwardly therefrom where the other end thereof connects to the plunger 36. Consequently as the fly wheel is turned, the crank 66 is also turned and the slide is driven fore-and-aftly along the outer edge of the upper platform 14. The fore-and-aft movement of the slide or carriage 70 results in the reciprocating rod also moving fore-and-aftly, which results in the plunger 36 being reciprocatly driven within the filler tube 30.

Turning to a detailed discussion of the ratchet drive 46 previously mentioned herein. it is seen that such comprises an oscillating sheave 76 rotatively journaled about the rotor shaft 44 just behind the back plate 18. Oscillating sheave 76 includes a drive pawl 78 which is fixed thereon at a point radially spaced from the axis of the oscillating sheave. The drive pawl 78 is spring biased to a position such as that shown in FIG. 2 by a tension spring (not shown) connected to the drive pawl 78 and anchored at a point inwardly on the oscillating sheave 76. Also fixed to the rotor shaft 44 is a drive wheel 82, the drive wheel 82 being co-axial with respect to the oscillating sheave 76 and spaced rearwardly thereon. Circumfentially formed about the edge of the drive wheel 82 is a series of arcuate shaped cams 820 with the series of cams being periodically interrupted by a series of notches 821). As seen in the drawings. the drive pawl 78 engages respective notches 82b and drives the drive wheel clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2. As will become apparent from the discussion to follow, the drive pawl 78 is actually oscillated back and forth with the oscillating sheave 76, thereby resulting in the drive wheel 82 being driven in short intervals After each drive interval, a stop pawl 84 disposed next to said oscillating sheave 76 engages the drive wheel 82 and tends to prohibit the same from back turning.

Turning now to the particular drive for the oscillating sheave 76, it is seen that a tension spring 86 is anchored to the upper platform 14 at one end and includes a connecting link 88 fixed to the other end and anchored to a point radially spaced on the oscillating sheave 76. Consequently, the tension spring 86 tends to bias the oscillating sheave 76 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2.

A flexible cable 90 is anchored to the oscillating shield 76 and trained therearound to where the flexible cable extends over a pulley guide 92 and attaches to a pivotedly mounted bell frame 94 (FIG. 1) which is pivotably mounted by pivot pin 96 to a downwardly extending support 98 fixed to the upper platform l4. It is seen that the bell crank 94 includes a forward arm 940 which is aligned to be engaged with the slide or carriage 70 as the latter is driven fore-and-aftly along the edge or upper platform. Also. it is seen that the flexible cable 90 is fixed to the rear arm 94b of the bell crank 94. Therefore. on the aft or rearward stroke of the slide 70, the forward arm 94a of the bell crank engages the bell crank 94 which causes the same to be rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1. The counterclockwise movement of the bell crank causes the cable 90 to be pulled downwardly and consequently results in the oscillating sheave 76 being rotated a predetermined angle clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2. The clockwise movement of the oscillating sheave 76 results in pawl 78 engaging the drive wheel 82 and consequently rotating the latter a corresponding amount.

Once the slide 70 begins the forward portion of the stroke, the bell crank 94 is biased back to its normal position by the action of the tension spring 86 which acts to rotate the oscillating sheave 76 counterclockwise (FIG. 2). This action is repeated during the cigarette making process such that the plunger is continuously driven and the agitating means is intermittingly driven through the ratchet assembly 46 just described.

Although not particularly material to some aspects of the present invention, the cigarette making machine 10 includes a filter inserting assembly indicated generally at 100 and disposed about the upper platform 14 adjacent the density control mechanism 48. Viewing the fil' ter inserting assembly 100 in greater detail. it is seen that the same is supported by a support block 101 fixed to the upper platform and includes a stationary tube 102 having a filter placement opening 104 formed at one end thereof. Also, the stationary tube I02 includes an angle cut open end adjacent the filter placement opening for receiving a paper wrapper tube PT. This angle cut open end is slightly tapered from the filter placement opening 104 to the open end thereofjust re ferred to. with the stationary tube being progressively smaller towards the open end. Also between the open end and the filter placement opening 104 there is provided a ring 106 which serves as a stop for the paper wrapper tube PT.

Reciprocally mounted within the stationary tube 102 is a pair of concentric rams. an outer ram 108 and an inner ram 110. The rams 108 and 110 are each movable independent of the other but are integrally constructed and form one piece. Each ram includes a finger grip 112 and there is provided a tension spring 114 interposed between the finger grip 112 of the individual rounds.

in order to insert a filter in a paper wrapper tube PT. the paper wrapper tube is fitted over the open end of the stationary tube 102 and is held thereat by gripping the same with the thumb and forefinger. Next. the filter is inserted within the filter placement opening 104 and the outer ram [08 is pushed towards the paper wrapper tube. engaging the filter placed within the stationary tube 102 and causing the same to be inserted into the filter receiving area of the paper wrapper tube PT. After the filter has been inserted into the paper wrapper tube. the inner ram H is pushed towards the paper wrapper tube while the thumb and forefinger have been released from holding the paper wrapper tube about the stationary tube. The engagement of the smaller inner ram H0 with the end of the filter causes the paper wrapper tube and insert filter to be pushed from the stationary tube 102.

After the filter has been inserted into the paper wrap per tube. it is then placed on the filler tube 30 of the cigarette machine and the density control mechanism 48 is placed adjacent the filter end of the cigarette to control the density thereof during the cigarette making process.

To begin making the cigarette. the fly wheel 62 is actuated by either manually turning or by an appropriate electric motor. The actuation of the fly wheel 62 results. as described above. in the slide being reciprocated foreand-aftly which in turn results in the plunger being reciprocally moved within the filler tube 30. The reciprocating of the plunger 36 feeds the shredded tobacco from the storage unit into the paper wrapper tube. As the predetermined and appropriate density is realized within the paper wrapper tube PT, a sufficient force is then generated by the plunger against the paper wrapper tube to move the elongated member 58 through the friction holder 54. Consequently. this allows the paper wrapper tube to move therewith and along the filler tube 30 until the entire inner area of the paper wrapper tube is filled with shredded tobacco. It should be pointed out that during this time the agitating means 38 is being intermittingly driven by the ratchet assembly 46, thereby continuously agitating the shredded tobacco within the container 20 and assisting in feeding tobacco into the feeding cavity 28 of the stor age unit 20.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the cigarette making machine 10 of the present invention has the advantages of being relatively simple and easy to operate while being reliable. In addition. the cigarette mechanism is adapted to accommodate paper wrapper tubes of the filter or nonfilter type and includes a density control mechanism for precisely controlling the density of the cigarettes produced.

The terms upper". lower. forward", rearward", etc., have been used herein merely for the convenience of the foregoing specification and in the appended claims to describe the cigarette machine and its parts as oriented in the drawings. It is to be understood. however. that these terms are in no way limiting to the invention since the cigarette machine may obviously be disposed in many different positions when in actual use.

The present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range are intended to be embraced herein.

What is claimed is:

l. A cigarette machine adapted to fill individual cigarette paper wrapper tubes with shredded tobacco. said cigarette machine comprising:

a. a frame structure;

b. a filler tube mounted on said frame structure and open at one end, said open end being adapted to receive individual cigarette paper wrapper tubes;

c. a tobacco storage unit mounted on said frame structure and operative to feed shredded tobacco therefrom into said filler tube;

d. plunger means reciprocally mounted within said filler tube for moving shredded tobacco through said filler tube into the respective cigarette paper wrapper tube disposed about the open end thereof;

e. drive means for reciprocally driving said plunger means and including an actuation wheel fixed to a drive shaft, a crank assembly operatively connected to said drive shaft, a slidably mounted slide operatively connected to said crank assembly and movable fore-and-aft in response to the actuation of said crank assembly; and a connecting rod assembly interconnected between said slide and said plunger means for reciprocally driving said plunger means as said slide is moved fore-and-aftly',

f. a density control mechanism disposed adjacent said filler tube and including. a frictional holder mounted outwardly of the open end of said filler tube and including an opening formed therein, an elongated member means frictionally held and slid ably mounted within the opening of said frictional holder and projecting therefrom for engagement with the outer end of the respective cigarette wrapper tube associated with said filler tube for movably yielding with the respective cigarette wrapper tube in response to shredded tobacco being compacted therein. and means associated with said frictional holder for adjusting and varying the frictional holding force being applied to said elongated member means; and

g4 agitating means rotatively mounted within said to bacco storage unit and operative to agitate and mix the shredded tobacco therein during the operation of the cigarette machine; a ratchet drive assembly operatively connected to said agitating means; a bell crank pivotably mounted in alignment with said slide of said plunger drive means and engageable therewith as said slide moves fore-and-aftly, and a cable drive operatively interconnected between said bell crank and said ratchet drive assembly for driving said ratchet drive assembly and consequently said agitating means in response to the engagement of said slide with said bell crank.

2. The cigarette machine of claim 1 wherein said density control mechanism includes a guide aligned with said filler tube and spaced slightly outwardly from the open end thereof, said guide being adapted to receive and support said elongated member means held by said frictional holder.

3. The cigarette machine of claim 2 wherein said elongated member means held by said frictional holder is of a cylindrical shape, and wherein said guide is integrally formed with said frictional holder and projects therefrom towards the open end of said filler tube and wherein said guide assumes a general half-open arcuatc shape whereby said cylindrical shape elongated mem ber means may freely slide back and forth therein.

4. The cigarette machine of claim 1 wherein said filler tube includes as in-feed opening that lies just forwardly of said plunger means when said plunger means assumes a retracted position in said filler tube, and wherein said in-feed opening and a portion of said filler tube are disposed in a lower portion of said tobacco storage unit.

5. The cigarette machine of claim 4 wherein said tobacco storage unit is generally cylindrical in shape and disposed such that the axis thereof extends generally parallel to the axis of said filler tube, and wherein said agitating means includes a plurality of agitating elements circumferentially spaced within said cylindrical storage unit and oriented therein so as to extend adjacent the cylindrical wall structure thereof in general parallel relationship to the axis of said storage unit and to move in a circular path therearound. 

1. A cigarette machine adapted to fill individual cigarette paper wrapper tubes with shredded tobacco, said cigarette machine comprising: a. a frame structure; b. a filler tube mounted on said frame structure and open at one end, said open end being adapted to receive individual cigarette paper wrapper tubes; c. a tobacco storage unit mounted on said frame structure and operative to feed shredded tobacco therefrom into said filler tube; d. plunger means reciprocally mounted within said filler tube for moving shredded tobacco through said filler tube into the respective cigarette paper wrapper tube disposed about the open end thereof; e. drive means for reciprocally driving said plunger means and including an actuation wheel fixed to a drive shaft, a crank assembly operatively connected to said drive shaft, a slidably mounted slide operatively connected to said crank assembly and movable fore-and-aft in response to the actuation of said crank assembly; and a connecting rod assembly interconnected between said slide and said plunger means for reciprocally driving said plunger means as said slide is moved fore-and-aftly; f. a density control mechanism disposed adjacent said filler tube and including, a frictional holder mounted outwardly of the open end of said filler tube and including an opening formed therein, an elongated member means frictionally held and slidably mounted within the opening of said frictional holder and projecting therefrom for engagement with the outer end of the respective cigarette wrapper tube associated with said filler tube for movably yielding with the respective cigarette wrapper tube in response to shredded tobacco being compacted therein, and means associated with said frictional holder for adjusting and varying the frictional holding force being applied to said elongated member means; and g. agitating means rotatively mounted within said tobacco storage unit and operative to agitate and mix the shredded tobacco therein during the operation of the cigarette machine; a ratchet drive assembly operatively connected to said agitating means; a bell crank pivotably mounted in alignment with said slide of said plunger drive means and engageable therewith as said slide moves fore-and-aftly, and a cable drive operatively interconnected between said bell crank and said ratchet drive assembly for driving said ratchet drive assembly and consequently said agitating means in response to the engagement of said slide with said bell crank.
 2. The cigarette machine of claim 1 wherein said density control mechanism includes a guide aligned with said filler tube and spaced slightly outwardly from the open end thereof, said guide being adapted to receive and support said elongated member means held by said frictional holder.
 3. The cigarette machine of claim 2 wherein said elongated member means held by said frictional holder is of a cylindrical shape, and wherein said guide is integrally formed with said frictional holder and projects therefrom towards the open end of said filler tube and wherein said guide assumes a general half-open arcuate shape whereby said cylindrical shape elongated member means may freely slide back and forth therein.
 4. The cigarette machine of claim 1 wherein said filler tube includes as in-feed opening that lies just forwardly of said plunger means when said plunger means assumes a retracted position in said filler tube, and wherein said in-feed opening and a portion of said filler tube are disposed in a lower portion of said tobacco storage unit.
 5. The cigarette machine of claim 4 wherein said tobacco storage unit is generally cylindrical in shape and disposed such that the axis thereof extends generally parallel to the axis of said filler tube, and wherein said agitating means includes a plurality of agitating elements circumferentially spaced within said cylindrical storage unit and oriented therein so as to extend adjacent the cylindrical wall structure thereof in general parallel relationship to the axis of said storage unit and to move in a circular path therearound. 